Peter Criss on Kiss Hall of Fame Exclusion: ‘This is Disgraceful’

Founding Kiss drummer Peter Criss says that he was “denied” a chance to perform alongside his former bandmates at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, in a move he calls “disgraceful.”

“I feel bad for the fans who were looking forward to the four of us being inducted together,” Criss explained in a post on his official website. Just like the band’s former lead guitarist Ace Frehley, who broke the “no reunion” news in a Friday night radio interview, the original “catman” says he’s trying to avoid having fans buy tickets expecting a reunion of the group’s ’70s lineup: “I wanted to make sure that fans understood that no original performance, in or out of makeup, has been offered to us before they purchased their tickets.”

Earlier this morning, the current lineup of Kiss — featuring fellow founding members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons — revealed that they wouldn’t be performing at the ceremony “in any lineup.” Their statement indicates the problem from their side isn’t with playing alongside Criss and Frehley, but rather that other current and former band members — including 10-year plus veterans Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer, Tommy Thayer and the late Eric Carr — won’t be inducted or invited to participate.

Criss’ full statement can be read below:

To KISS fans,

It’s disappointing to have to say to you, the fans, that as of today, Ace and I have been denied a performance with Gene and Paul for our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Tickets go on sale on Monday, Feb. 24th, and I wanted to make sure that fans understood that no original performance, in or out of makeup, has been offered to us before they purchased their tickets. This is disgraceful and I feel bad for the fans who were looking forward to the four of us being inducted together.
God Bless,

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